Morena Baccarin steals the show in a survival thriller similar to A Quiet Place

We jump to Elevation
three years after an apocalyptic event. Huge insect-like creatures rise from the ground and destroy about 95% of humanity. They are efficient in their kills, never resting, never stopping, but like most creatures in this subgenre, they have a limit. These creatures cannot exceed a certain elevation level, forcing the rest of humanity to create settlements at high altitudes. Very similar to not very different A peaceful place, Elevation revolves around a small unit of people on the edge of survival and the small hope of finding a solution to defeat these new apex predators.

Elevation is a robust survival action thriller with relatable characters

But the film falters compared to other similar projects

Screenwriters John Glenn, Kenny Ryan, Jacob Roman and director George Nolfi have crafted a robust project. There’s very little to criticize, but not much to recommend other than the fact that it’s structurally sound. There is a directness to the script and the execution of the story that is admirable, but the film lacks a drastic touch that makes it cinematic; sorry for the snobbery. I suggested that Elevation is similar to A peaceful placeand although there are fundamental differences, a lot is linking the two films – and not for the benefit of Elevation.

The film delves into the emotional suffering and difficulties this enormous situation brought to our relatable but there is a certain level of intrigue and darkness that Elevation does not reachtherefore, the gravity of the situation does not seem so heavy. Along with usable CGI, Elevation It feels like a mild copycat rather than a compelling project that stands on its own merits.

Anthony Mackie is a solid action lead whose single-father arc is compelling

But Morena Baccarin steals the show as Nina, a guilty physicist

The cast is excellent, but the highlight is Morena Baccarin, tasked with playing someone who oscillates between contrasting emotions without losing sight of her purpose. If only the film could rearrange some things and push Baccarin to the forefront, then what was once a film with little to praise would have much. Baccarin is very good at attracting attention and tugging at the heartstrings. She effectively emphasizes the aspects of her character that would normally keep us from liking her, but her charisma is an undeniable draw.

Meanwhile, Maddie Hasson is effective as the third in the trifecta, although she is mostly a vessel, as neither Baccarin nor Mackie play characters we would easily identify with. In short, Mackie leads a great cast, but the question is whether he’s the only one Elevation needs as a leader. Anthony Mackie is a great actor. Here, he brings a very stable, everyday Joe hero type who has a cause worth fighting for. However, His role as Will, a single father trying to survive the apocalypse in the mountains of Colorado, is perhaps the film’s least appealing aspect..

With a few small adjustments, much of the story could remain as is, but focus a little more on Baccarin’s Nina, the guilt-ridden, overly alcohol-dependent physicist. There’s something to be said for the film’s emotional anchor being a family man and the story’s instigator being his sickly son, but without giving too much away, it simply takes up too much space and isn’t all that interesting.

Judging by what we have rather than its potential, I’d say it’s a solid action film with equal parts thrills, action and thrills, which relies on a story that has a normal amount of stakes and a protagonist who has a simple and easy plot. -Continue journey.

Elevation sacrifices suspense for a simple plot

Elevation makes a critical error: opening up questions about the origins of these creatures and then suggesting an answer. There’s something quite disheartening about an action thriller not having room to revel in uncertainty. There is a great desire for answers or at least some implicit nod in the right direction of those answers. But To get the full effect of the story’s terror, leaning into uncertainty offers more. Of course, there will always be questions, but the thriller fails to utilize this frustrating lack of answers as fodder for suspense and drama.

Once again, the film takes the safe bet, giving us enough to answer our questions and then teasing the possibility of more films. It could Elevation be built into an attractive franchise like A peaceful place? Of course. I can see a film that follows the immediate moment after the appearance of the huge insects. We can follow this story with a different set of characters or even follow our current protagonists as they meet new faces. The film is crafted in the same way that so many Hollywood films are these days, and that is to kick off a series.

While Elevation doesn’t provoke much excitement, there’s something credible about this story and cast that would make for a potentially successful series. I would caution against this, as some things are left as solo adventures, but if a sequel means more Morena Baccarin’s Nina using her brain to combat these divine beasts, then sign me up.

Elevation It will be in theaters on November 8th. The film is 90 minutes long and rated R for the language.